Australian Politics for Dummies - 2nd Edition by Nick Economou & Zareh Ghazarian (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Australian Politics For Dummies gives you a helping hand as you get to grips with the good, the bad and the ugly of Australian politics. Seasoned political punters and voting novices alike will find fascinating facts and top thrills in in this essential guide. Master the ins and outs of elections, parties and policies. In no time, you'll be discussing and debating the biggest issues with ease. Down under, we all have to vote. It's one of the many beautiful things about this land of ours, and this book will help you learn why (and how) to cast that ballot.

This updated edition gives you everything you need to cast your vote with confidence. You'll identify what makes the Australian political system tick, distinguish between the different political parties and understand the influence of the media in Australian politics.

• Decipher political terminology, make sense of the houses of parliament and understand why we have minor parties
• Learn how Australia's political system evolved and grasp today's voting systems
• Make sense of coalition politics and figure out the differences between the Labor and Liberal parties
• Find out why Australia's system of government is described as 'Washminster, ' and discover the Whips and the Usher of the Black Rod

You want to know more about Australian politics, but, if we're being realistic, it's very complicated. Australian Politics For Dummies clears it all up.

From the Back Cover

Get a grip on the Australian political system

From the difference between the Labor and Liberal parties, to how the electoral system works, the Australian political system might seem a little intimidating at first. But with Australian Politics For Dummies, anyone can master the ins and outs of elections, parties and policies! You'll discover how federal and state governments administer their respective responsibilities and how minor -parties and independents contribute to politics. If it has an impact on -Australian politics today, you'll find it in this book.

Inside...

• Distinguish between the parties
• Make an informed voting decision
• Discover media's role in politics
• Explore the impact of minor parties
• Find out who pays for what
• Explore Australian political history
• Examine the "electoral pendulum"
• Understand the Constitution
• Examine parliamentary roles

About the Author

Dr Nick Economou is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at Monash University. He has taught the subject since 1985.

Dr Zareh Ghazarian is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations in the School of Social Sciences at Monash University.